The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-24

subjsc Of practical importance.
Propositions will be submitted to you
by the respective committees to eng.
gest amendments to the school laws.
or to devise agencies outside OF the
law for promoting the interests of
education. These subjects will come
before you upon the reports OF the
respective committees on the follow
ing dsy, to wit: Grading the Schools
The Relations Of the Schools and
Colleges Technical and Agricultural
Instruction. Female Education,'
School Supervision THE School
Law Teachers Institutes and
Normal Schools Ttaching Epelish,'
and National Aid to EiuCation.'
"While all these subjects deserve
careful consideration, there ia one sub
ject whose trsnscendent importance
demands especisl attention. II Ia to
be regretted that a strong expression
Of our views on national aid 10 sduca-
ton may have the appearance Of lead.
ing rs into the arena of partisan poll
tics. IL must DO remembered, how
ever, that this association expressed
Its views and took its position in 1883,
before this great question was ever
dragged into politics. At each subpe-
qutnt annual session we have reaf-
firmed this position, and in 1885 va
appointed a committee who peitioned
Congress TO enact the Blair bill This
Ia en- educational question. We did
not place 1t In partisan politics, and
we cannot, and we will not, nov de-
sert a mesrure Of such vast impor.
tsnce to our educational interests, |
merely because politicians have chosen
to sssail II. II IL our right and our
duty to announce to our fellow citizens
that our views upon this eubiect are
still unchanged, and to urge the meas.
ure upon their consideration on its
own merits rs wise and benz fetal |
measure, full Of blessings TO them
selves aod their children.
in thus slludinR tn the history OF |
our association and 10 the GREAT re.
suits which It has accomplished, I |
hope that / shall not be Understood to
claim for II any position OF authority,
or any right to dictate TO teachers, 10
school officers, TO the nublic, or even
to Its own members. II IL entirely a
voluntary body. Unknown to the
laws, incapable OF sxerting any sort OF
authority, IL exists only in its discus
sions and Its suggestions, vox ct
prseterea nihil. It's great results have
been accomplished by persuasive
means alone. II has enj Dyed the favor
ard cooperation OF all superintepd.
eDse and school officers since it's
foundation, became IL has rendered
valuable aid tot their admir- istratioRs
and has strengthened their official
influence. II has been eminently sue
cessful In securing legislation, because
ii has approached Legislators with
a treasury always empty, and a
conscience always clear, tcorning to
resort to the arts Of the lobbyist, aud
appealing TO no influence except that
which was welded by the wisdom Of
It's ccuaso!s and the force 81 lie sng-
ge5tions-a compliment alike 10 the
Legislators OF Tennessee and TO this
association. IL hes gained the conf
dence OF the public, because IL has al
ways been, as previously described, y
body which 10 pracicai, earnest, rep
monious, courteous,
and firm.
"Is sugges ions have always carried
weight, because they have been free
alike from the angry tone OF partisan
and from the arrogant
pretense Of right to dictate to public
opinion; and because, further, they
have always carried with them their
own evidence Of practical good sense
and the unstlfih purpose TO promote
The beet interests Of educsiion."